TikTok Faces Fine Over Violation of Children’s Privacy in EU
The European Data Protection Board has reached a binding decision against TikTok for its mishandling of children’s data.
The platform will likely face a substantial fine, and the ruling came after TikTok submitted legal objections in Ireland, where its European headquarters are located. The fine is expected to be imposed within four weeks.
The investigation into TikTok’s compliance with the EU’s general data protection regulation and its data handling practices for children aged 13 to 17 was initiated by the data protection commissioner in Ireland in 2021.
To improve compliance with new European Union content regulations, TikTok recently announced several new features for its European users. These regulations are set to take effect on 25th August and require large online platforms like TikTok, Google, and Facebook to police illegal content, ban certain advertising practices, and share data with authorities.
EU technology commissioner, Thierry Breton, expressed that despite TikTok’s dedication to compliance, more work is needed to achieve full compliance. The company agreed to a voluntary “stress test” at its Dublin HQ last month.
To meet the requirements of the Digital Services Act (DSA), TikTok implemented various measures, such as facilitating the reporting of illegal content by EU users, allowing them to disable personalized video recommendations, and discontinuing targeted advertising for users aged 13 to 17.
It said: “We will continue to not only meet our regulatory obligations but also strive to set new standards through innovative solutions.
Underage Data Mishandling Results in Hefty Fine
Earlier this year, TikTok faced a £12.7 million fine from the UK data watchdog for unlawfully processing the data of 1.4 million children under the age of 13 who were using the platform without parental consent.
The British information commissioner criticized TikTok for failing to verify the age of users and remove underage accounts, despite receiving internal warnings.
According to a 2022 survey by the UK regulator Ofcom, over 60% of eight- to 17-year-olds who use social media have their own TikTok accounts.
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Source: The Guardian
